Intensified military operations compel 4 more BIFF members to surrender

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (July 28, 2021) - Four members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters surrendered in Maguindanao on Tuesday, July 27

“Due to the relentless focused military operations of our troops in central Mindanao, most of the terrorists are already starving hence they choose to surrender,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command.

According to the surrendered personalities, the series of offensives conducted by the military made them realize that they have nowhere to go but to either surrender or die while fighting for their pointless battle.

The four members of the BIFF-Bungos Faction submitted themselves to the troops of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion at about 11 a.m. of the said day.

“They handed over their firearm including one US cal. 50HB machine gun, one R4A3 Carbine with M203 grenade launcher, one cal. 30 Carbine, and one 7.62mm sniper rifle,” said 1Mech Bn Commander Lt. Col. Cresencio Sanchez, Jr.

Subject personalities were subsequently presented to Col. Pedro Balisi, Jr., Commander of 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, and Shariff Aguak Mayor Marop Ampatuan at the unit headquarters in Barangay Kamasi, Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

“The influx of BIFF surrenders is a testament to the dwindling of the group. We expect that more terrorists will lay down their arms in the coming days as we bolster our offensives on the area,” said Col. Balisi, Jr.

The four are currently undergoing custodial debriefing at the 1Mech Bde headquarters.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of Joint Task Force Central urged the remaining BIFF members to yield and avail of the reintegration programs of the government.

“Now is the best time for you to surrender,” said Maj. Gen. Uy.

It can be recalled that last Monday the deputy commander and six members of the group surrendered in Maguindanao.

“The offensives of the Joint Task Force Central will continue despite the mounting number of BIFF members who are now deciding to return to the folds of the law,” said Lt. Gen.  Vinluan, Jr.

“Rest assured that all our operations adhere to the Human Rights and International Humanitarian Laws,” the commander added.

Since January 2021, JTF Central neutralized a total of 145 BIFF personalities, of which 69 were killed, 74 surrendered, and two were apprehended.(By JONG D CADION with reports and photos from WestMinCom-PIO)

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